Stage-lift flowing device



June 24, 1930.

A. BOYNTON STAGE LIFT FLOWING- DEVICE Filed May 6, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l June 24, 1930.

A. BOYNTON 1,767,201 STAGE LIFT FLOWING DEVICE Filed May 6, 1927 Z'Sheets-Sheet 2 g-rwentoc a5? 4 i attouuzq I Patented June 24, 1930 UNITED STATES.

ALEXANDER IBOYNTON, OI SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS STAGE-LIFT nnowme DEVICE Application filed Kay 6, 1927. Serial no. 189,305.

This invention relates to stage lift flowing devices adapted for use in wells and is based on an appreciation of the varying differentials obtaining between the pressures of the tubing and easing fluids.

The invention forming the subject of this application contemplates the employment of a pressure responsive valve by which the rate of admission of a lifting mediumto the column of fluid to be discharged is augmented when a low differential obtainsbetween the pressures of the tubing and casing fluids and is diminished when a high differential obtains between the pressures of the tubing and casin fluids.

Also an' object of the invention is to provide a stage lift flowing device byv which a well maybe selectively flowed through the tubing or casing without any adjustment inconvenience.

Other objects and advantages will beapparent during the course of the following description. I

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this application and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same, 7

Figurel is a vertical sectional 'view through a double acting induction valve incorporated in a tubing and by means" of which the well maybe flowed through the tubing or the casing,

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view' taken on line 22 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a perspective of a diaphragm and valve carried thereby,

Figure 4 is a side elevation of the device ap hed,

igure 5. 1s a horizontal sectional view" illustrating one of the positions assumed by the diaphragm carried valve when the whatever of the device itself and without or less tubular'bodies 7 are incorporated at spaced points.

Figure 1 clearly illustrates that the body 7 is provided at one side thereof with a housing consisting of an annular bos's'8 and a cap 9 threaded on the boss. The cap 9 is provided with an internal shoulder which cooperates .with the opposed end of the annular boss 8 in firmly clamping the peripheral portion of a diaphragm 10 in place.

The diaphragm 10 is clearly shown to be annularly corrugated and having a flat central portion to which the annular heads 14 of tapered valve stems 15 are connected. The heads 14. may be securely connected and attached to the diaphragm by a threaded attaching portion extending from one of the heads and secured in a threaded socket in the other head and the adjacent portion of the'stem of the same. 70

Q Referring now to Figure ltit will be seen that the stems 15 are slightly tapered and are adapted to be received in openings 16 and 18 in opposite sides of the housing. More specifically the opening 18 is in one 7 side wallof the body which constitutes the inner side of the housing, while the opening 16 is in the cap 9 which functions as the outer side of the housing. Communication is established between the spaces at opposite sides of the diaphragm by apertures or passages 20, the combined areas of which is substantially less than the area of either of the openings 16 and 18 whereby a constant equalization of the pressures at opposite sides of the diaphragm is avoided as will be apparent. Beforeproceeding with the description of operation it might be noted that the taper of the valve. stems or closures may be from 0.3075" .at their bases to 0.2925 at their extremities and that the diameters of the ports 16 and 18 are from" .015 to .050 greater than the diameters of the stems or closures, depending upon the size of tubing and casing and the volume of fluid to be handled. Of coursethe invention is not in any way restricted to these dimensions. Each stem functions principally to cut down the effective cross sectional area of the associated opening when a high differential prevails between the tubing and easing fluids as a result of the rapid ascent of the fluid being flowed.

At opposite sides of the casing the body 7 is provided with suitably shaped protuberances 24 by which the diaphragm housing is prevented from hanging on joints in the casing or being otherwise interfered with.

Should it be desired to flow the well through the tubing, gas or compressed air is introduced into the casing exteriorly' of the tubing to bring about the desired pressure within the casing. The fluid thus admitted to the casing functions as a lifting medium by which the upward movement of the oil or other fluid in the tubing is brought about or is aided so far as is necessary. If possible the Well may be allowed to build up its own pressure thereby avoiding the neces sity of employing gas or air from an out side source.

With a fluid under pressure in the casing the valve connecting the tubing and the flow line on the surface is opened byjthe operator whereupon the oil or other fluid to be lifted will begin to flow. With a low differential between the pressures in the tubing and the casing the diaphragm will remain substantially as illustrated in Figure 1. The flow of oil or other fluid up through the tubing will result in a decrease in the pressure within the tubing and a consequent high differential between the tubing and caslng pressures. With a high differential thus obtaining between the tubing and casing fluids the diaphragm will approach the position illustrated in Figure 5 so that the stem of the valve head 14: will enter the opening 18 and thereby diminish the rate of supply of the lifting medium. Otherwise expressed when the upward travel of oil or other fluid is accelerated under the influence of the compressed air or gas a high differential will prevail. This high differential will act on the diaphragm to reduce the supply of lifting fluid such as compressed air. or gas.

This automatic graduated supply of lifting energy 1s correct in theory and has been proven to be correct in practice by successful demonstration and operation in oil wells.

Continued flow of the fluid up to the surface will result in further decreasing the tub-= 111g pressure and consequently in the engagement of the inner head 14 with the outer end of the opening 18. Thus the .inner end of the opening 18 functions as a'valveseat for the inner head 14. After the supply of compressed air or gas is thus cutoff the movement of the fluidin the direction of the surface is slackened to lower the differential between the tubing and casing pressures whereby the head 14. is moved out of engagement with the inner end of the'opening 18 and the supply of lifting medium to the tube 1s resumed If it is desired to flow the well through the casing, the lifting medium, such as compressed air or gas, is introduced by way of the tubing and when a high differential obtains between the tubing and casing fluids the diaphragm will approach or occupy the same when used for flowing the well through the casing as when the well is flowed through the tubing. It is important to note that no special adjustment of the valve whatsoever is necessary to bring about a change from the tube flowing of the well to flowing the well through the casing or vice versa.

If it is desired to vary the responsiveness of the diaphragm a lighter or heavier diaphragm may be employed or sheets or laminations may be added to or taken from the diaphragm. Also if more or less diaphragm action is desired thin washers or shims may be added on either or both sides of the diaphragm at the peripheral portion thereof.

It will be observed that the assemblin and installation of the device is simplified by making both ends alike.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is 1. An induction valve comprising a body thereof engaged by said cap, valves mounted on opposite sides of said diaphragm and having stems adapted to be received in said separate aligned passages to control the effective cross sectional areas of the passages.

2. An induction valve comprising a body having an annular boss and a cap cooperating with the boss in the formation of a housing, a diaphragm confined between said boss and said cap and having fluid conducting means, said body and said cap being provided with passages communicating with saidfluid conducting means, and valves carried by said diaphragm and adapted to control the movement of fluid through said passages.

having an annular boss and a cap cooperating with the boss in the formation of a housing, a diaphragm confined between said boss and said cap and having fluid conduct- 3. An induction valve comprising a body ing means, said body and saidcap being provided with passages communicating with said fluid conducting means, valves carried by said diaphragm and adapted to control the movement of fluid through said passages, said diaphragm being annularly corrugated.

4. An induction valve comprising a body having a boss and a cap cooperating with the boss in the formation of a housing, a diaphragm confined between said boss and said cap and having fluid conductin means, said body and said cap being provi ed with passages communicating with said fluid conducting means, valves carried by said diaphragm and adapted to control the movement of fluid through said passages and protecting devices at opposite sides 0 said housing and extending outwardly beyond the same.

5. A fluid control valve for wells compris- ;ing a body having means whereby the same may be incorporated in a tubing and being provided with a housing having separate two-way passages for the admission of a fluid lifting medium to thetubing or for the discharge of a fluid liffting medium from the tubing whereby the well may be flowed interiorly or exteriorly of the tubing, a diaphragm within said housing, and valves carried by said diaphragm and adapted to separately control said passages and thereby control the movement of the fluid lifting medium. 7

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

ALEXANDER BOYNTON. 

